Miriam’s POV
We got down from the car, and the scenery was one of a kind.
Luxurious cars lined the entrance, important people standing in twos and threes, dressed to perfection.
Victor walked to my side and offered his arm.
I accepted, hooking my hand in the crook of his elbow.
The gesture felt natural, despite knowing this was all part of a performance.
“Just smile for the camera. All eyes will be on us,” he said softly.
And just as he said, there were definitely eyes on us.
I put on a bright smile, and we walked to the grand red carpet.
Media with cameras suddenly came toward us, flashing their equipment excitedly.
“Mr. Victor, what do you feel about your first entrance with your wife at today’s charity gala?” one reporter called out.
He adjusted my hands in his arms, acting loving.
Except this wasn’t just for the camera anymore.
This was something I was loving right now, despite knowing better.
“I feel happy being here with my wife, attending this gala,” he replied smoothly, his voice warm and genuine-sounding.
The cameras kept on flashing as we moved toward the main entrance.
The four security men were already at their positions, backing off people who were trying to gain access to us.
They formed a protective barrier around us, giving us space to move through the chaos.
“Mrs. Miriam Ashford, the new CEO position handed to you spiraled a lot of rumors. What is your take on this?” one reporter managed to ask, pushing through the crowd.
I quickly stopped the bodyguard who was about to shove the reporter aside.
“I knew my new position was going to spiral so many rumors, but it’s nothing new. I’ve been through things worse than this. I see it as a motivation to do more and prove myself,” I spoke confidently to the camera, my voice steady and assured.
“About Miranda…” another reporter continued, but the bodyguard shoved them off as we walked into the bustling hall.
The grand space was a vision of elegance- crystal chandeliers hung from impossibly high ceilings, casting warm light across marble floors.
Round tables were draped in white silk, and floral arrangements in white and gold dominated every corner.
The walls were decorated with the brand’s logo, and servers in elegant uniforms moved seamlessly through the crowd with champagne and hors d’oeuvres.
“Where did that come from?” Victor asked immediately, looking down at me with admiration filling his eyes.
“Well, it just came,” I shrugged.
“You literally told the world. No, I am not a soft CEO who gets weakened by useless rumors,” he said, his tone playful and approving.
His dramatic expression made me laugh so much that I had to hold onto his arm for support.
“Was that how I looked out there?” I asked between laughs.
He was about to talk when a lady’s voice suddenly yelled across the bustling room.
My laugh faded away as we both looked across the direction.
A young, tall brunette came stomping toward us with purpose.
“Oh jeez, here she comes,” Victor muttered.
I put on a smile, preparing myself for whatever was coming.
“You jerk, why did you hang up earlier? I was about to say something,” she said as she stopped in front of us, slightly out of breath from her dramatic approach.
She was pretty, looked rich, like someone who controlled companies too.
She didn’t look ordinary.
There was an aura coming from her- something commanding and confident.
She wasn’t wearing the usual feminine dress that most women at these galas wore.
Instead, she wore a tailored black pantsuit with a crisp white shirt underneath, the jacket cinched at the waist to accentuate her curves.
Her brown hair fell down her back in waves, and she wore minimal jewelry except for a diamond-encrusted watch and a few gold rings on her fingers.
Everything about her screamed power and confidence.
She turned at me, her expression softening immediately.
“Oh my God, she is so pretty, Victor,” she said with genuine admiration.
“Yes, she is. Miriam, meet Ariel, my stubborn childhood friend I told you about,” Victor said, his tone affectionate despite his words.
“Stubborn?” she rolled her eyes at him, completely ignoring his comment and turning her full attention to me.
“Oh my God, I love your fashion sense. You are wearing the limited edition of Mom’s brand.”
Mum?
Was this dress from his mother’s brand?
Oh my God, why didn’t he tell me about it?
“You mean my fashion sense,” he chipped in, trying to take credit.
“Tsk,” she snickered at him and then turned back to me.
“It’s nice meeting you, Ariel.”
Wait, I had introduced myself wrong.
I had said my own name instead of acknowledging her introduction.
“I’m Miriam, actually,” I said gently, smiling and loving her energy already.
“This is more than nice. This jerk wouldn’t even tell me he got a girl so pretty like you. I had to rush down immediately to see you. I finally found someone I can talk with. Victor wouldn’t even listen to me,” Ariel said dramatically.
Victor cleared his throat, interrupting us.
“I am still here though.”
I chuckled, glancing at him.
He pouted, and I realized I had never seen this side of him before.
Does he have this other, lighter side of him too?
Ariel turned my head to hers, completely ignoring him now.
“I heard about what happened immediately when you got into position. Miranda is such a bitch. I wouldn’t believe she could go to that extent and do that. I mean, you have to listen to the full story…”
“It’s okay, Ariel. Don’t bore my wife with old stories. We just got here. At least you could be a good girl and get us a seat,” Victor interrupted.
She immediately gave him a punch on the stomach.
He held it in obvious pretense, doubling over dramatically.
I laughed at their dynamic.
I could not believe I got jealous as soon as I heard her loud screeching voice on his phone earlier in the ride, right after he said he had always loved a girl.
I don’t know why I was so upset hearing him say it to my face.
I hated that I was jealous hearing him say those words.
It seems I might have misjudged both of them.
“Yes, I am satisfied now,” Ariel said, flipping her hair dramatically.
I raised my head as my eyes swept the room, taking in the grandeur of the space.
“Mom is waiting in the inner room already,” Ariel said, holding my hand gently.
“How do you expect me to walk when you injured me?” Victor groaned falsely, still holding his stomach.
“Quit that pretend. Nevertheless, me and Miriam can just go have some ladies’ talk on the way,” she said, pulling me gently.
I was amused by these characters in front of me, especially him.
I never knew that beneath that cold exterior, there was actually a person who could bring out the childishness in him.
I wished I had always had a nice childhood like this.
I wished I could actually be like this with Nadia.
She had always been mean since when we were little, whenever I tried to play with her.
Victor suddenly yanked Ariel’s hands off my arm and hooked my arm into his elbow.
“I am her husband. I should be doing this,” he said laughing, his possessiveness showing through even as a joke.
Ariel frowned.
“You jerk,” she almost yelled.
We walked to the inner room, which he was clearly familiar with.
Eyes were on us as usual.
A few heads were bowing, respectfully acknowledging us.
Both Ariel and Victor were greeting people in Spanish, while I just smiled whenever I made eye contact with anyone.
This was new- meeting important people in a world I didn’t know before- but I was getting used to this.
The inner room of the hall was guided by two men in suits.
They opened the doors, revealing a space that took my breath away.
It was like stepping into a luxury paradise.
There were people walking about with tools in hand, clothes on hangers, shoes displayed, stylists moving about, people talking in excited tones.
This was luxurious- more like a special room for the owner of a clothing brand, just as Victor had told me.
I had looked up his mother’s brand.
Her company was the top in all industries.
She had so many other branches across the world.
This family is grounded.
Power.
Money.
Luxury.
They had everything, and this moment made me happy that I had never made the wrong decision on the proposal.
“Hey, Buenos días, Paulo,” Victor said to a curly-haired guy wearing an apron.
He smiled as he greeted Victor in Spanish.
I noticed most of them were speaking Spanish.
Oh yes, now I remembered.
His mother was a Spanish woman.
“My mom is over there,” Victor said, pointing to a corner where the back of a plump lady was facing me.
From the back view alone, it was giving off an elite aura.
The fluffy woolen dress accentuated her back perfectly.
“Don’t worry, she is just like that. Her back view gives off the impression of a stern woman,” he teased, as if reading my thoughts.
We walked toward her.
Some ladies were doing her makeup and her hair.
Her soft-looking fingers were on a tablet, reviewing something on the screen.
“Mom,” he called.
She immediately raised her head, looking at us from the mirror.
Her half-gray hair was packed and styled into a bun that perfected her face.
The stylists excused us immediately, sensing that this was a private family moment.
Her eyes held mine for seconds, staring at me carefully, analyzing me.
I bowed my head with a smile, suddenly feeling nervous.
“Hello, Mrs. Charlotte. It’s so nice seeing you in person. I have waited to meet you on this special day,” I said, making sure my voice was steady and respectful.
She then smiled and stood up, turning to face me fully.
Her expensive perfume came from her- something I could not name but that smelled like success and elegance.
She was a striking woman, with sharp features and an air of authority.
She wore a stunning emerald green dress that hung perfectly on her frame, paired with a cream-colored blazer.
Around her neck was a gold chain with an emerald pendant, and her wrists were adorned with matching bracelets.
Her ears held diamond studs, and her fingers bore several gold rings with precious stones.
Everything about her screamed power and sophistication.
“It’s nice seeing my edition on my daughter-in-law,” she said finally.
Her voice was soothing, like honey, but with an underlying strength.
“Oh, Victor got it for me,” I said, smiling.
“I didn’t even know it was your brand.”
She turned at him, and he avoided his mother’s face immediately, a slight blush creeping up his neck.
“I should have known when my delivery team told me someone with the Ashford surname got one of my editions. Without paying,” she grumbled at him, though there was amusement in her eyes. Read this novel at novelping.com for the best experience.
“Yes, Mom. Would you allow me to pay for a cloth I got from your brand? I am even doing a good advertisement, because the wife of Victor Ashford is wearing the limited version of CL Clothing and Accessories. I bet it is trending on the news already,” he said clearly, teasing his mother.
She rolled her eyes and looked at me.
“It looked good on you, my dear. And I am sorry we had to meet at an event. I had to meet you today because of my trip to the Emirates. I might not have free time to meet you otherwise,” she explained, rubbing my arms gently.
She was the coolest mother-in-law.
There was no suspicious look or anything pointing that she did not want me here.
“It’s nice you are here, my girl,” she said warmly.
“Thanks, Ma,” I replied.
“And uhm, since Victor has put you in that position…” she started to say something, but Victor quickly cut in, making a face at her.
I wondered what she was about to say.
What was he trying to prevent her from discussing?
She smacked her lips and smiled.
“Don’t worry. Victor told me all about you already. I don’t really like boring my daughter-in-law with questions. As long as he likes the woman, I have no problem with that,” she said firmly.
Her words were so cool, and the fact that we were getting along so quickly was amazing.
“Yes, Mrs. Charlotte,” I said.
“Mom. Call me Mom. And I should be expecting a wedding soon. Victor told me you did not want a loud wedding,” she said, her eyes twinkling.
I glanced at him.
How much had he just lied to his mother?
How much are we lying right now?
He shrugged and smiled innocently.
“Yes, Ma, but we might have a mini wedding,” I said carefully.
“Good. You would want to excuse me right away. I need to finish up and meet some guests. The auction will soon start,” she said.
“Oh, no problem, Mom. I would excuse you now,” I said.
She smiled and turned at Victor, then started discussing in Spanish with him as she sat back in the chair and the experts resumed their work.
I let out a deep breath.
That was so smooth and fast.
If all mothers-in-law were as cool as her, all ladies would want to get married.
I suddenly got grabbed by Ariel, who pulled me to the side.
“How was it? Mom is insanely cool with you. I bet she is in a good mood,” Ariel said, glancing briefly at where Charlotte and Victor were talking in rapid Spanish.
“She is incredibly cool,” I replied honestly.
“Really? Mrs. Charlotte is a strict mom. I mean a bad-ass mom. She doesn’t give a fuck, you know? Do you know what she did to Victor when he was twenty? She gave him a little capital to start his business,” she said, reminiscing the day in her head.
I smiled, knowing the story already since he told me yesterday evening.
“Yes, he told me.”
She squinted her eyes.
“What other things has that jerk not told you? He literally tells you everything?”
“Well, I would be glad to listen to everything from you,” I said.
She smiled and held my hand.
“So what part do you want to hear?”
“Hmm, tell me more about Victor,” I asked eagerly, crazy for knowing more about him.
But my ears were scratching to know more about him for some reason I didn’t understand.
Then all of a sudden, a perfume was sprayed.
That nauseous pregnancy irritation to unusual smell suddenly erupted like a volcano inside me.
No.
Not now.
I needed to go to the toilet immediately.
“Where is the restroom?” I asked urgently.
“What is wrong?” Ariel asked, concerned.
“I need to pee,” I said, getting impatient, at the brink of vomiting out all I had eaten that morning.
I could not do that here.
Not in front of all these important people.
“The female restroom is on the left after this inner room,” she said, her expression shifting to worry.
“Oh my God, are you okay?” she asked, but I was already wobbling out on my heels, rushing to the restroom.
My hands brushed someone on the way, but I could not even apologize.
I managed to hold in as I lowered myself to one of the sinks, and everything came out in a rush.
All the little remains of undigested meal came out violently.
My body shook as I vomited, my hands gripping the edges of the sink.
This was not the time this should happen.
Not in this public space.
Not where I was supposed to be bold and confident.
I rinsed off my mouth, steadying myself.
My legs wobbled.
I splashed water on my face again, breathing in and out slowly, gaining my composure back.
“Wow, I knew it was you. I had to follow you in here,” a familiar masculine voice said behind me.
How is a man inside a women’s restroom?
And why does it sound like that jerk’s voice?
I turned immediately, and to my surprise, the man standing in front of me was Williams.
His hands were in his pockets, and he wore a smug grin on his face.
“What are you doing here?” I demanded, my voice sharp despite my weakened state.